Two Cities

Doug walked along the narrow lane, leading out from the Commoner's District of the city. Piles of rubbish littered the streets, blocking the shallow drains. The motionless pools assumed a green-black color, magnifying the stench that permeated the stagnant air.

He interrupted the buzzing of the flies and the crawling maggots as he waved his hand and also squashed some of the unlucky pedestrians under his boot. Crooked sheds lined the lanes, with treacherous mossy stone alleys connecting to their dilapidated companions at the rear.

The term Commoner's District was a nice way of classifying the slums of the city. The quarter occupied the majority of the southeastern quadrant, with the houses and living conditions deteriorating from the center of the city and also from the main gates.

Suffocated from the hustle and bustle, certain areas descended into a rookery that made living in a rural village slum seem like heaven.

His steps led him into a slightly wider street which served as an invisible dividing line. The lanes on one side led to all makes of contorted wooden houses, while the opposite end led to reasonable well-built structures of stone and wood.

"A pleasant morning, is Mr. Davis around?"

Before the clerk could formulate an answer, a boisterous voice sounded.

"Mr. Doug, what a surprise. I haven't seen you since we separated on arrival into the city. Come, come on in, I told you to drop by my shop and not be a stranger."

"Haha, Mister is to kind. You already paid us in full, for escorting you to Frost City. How can we accept more from you? I came today to talk about what we previously discussed, providing you're not too busy of course."

"Does this mean you are interested? When I witnessed how you and your companions dealt with those highwaymen, I knew then you had potential. Come, let's go inside, Jack, mind the shop and see I'm not disturbed."

The merchant ushered Doug into a small storage room and then barred the door. They seated themselves beside a square wooden table under the flickering light generated from a thick candle.

Doug met this merchant in Karst while traveling to Frost City. Merchant Davis at the time solicited for guards during the journey. Taking up the position they demonstrated their skills during the trip, fouling an ambush and saving the man's life in the process.

The merchant began the hushed conversation.

"I take it you have also done some investigations of your own."

"Yes, my friends and I did learn a few things. A man's lip parts very easily in a tavern, given the right incentive."

Merchant Davis chuckled while nodding in agreement. Casting off the welcoming, friendly face and turning serious, he bent closer and whispered

"This street is occupied by small-scale merchants and peddlers. The lane at the end of the street that flows into the slums has the brothels and gambling dens associated with this block. The Walsh gang controls this area."

Doug nodded since it matched his information. Blocks like these existed throughout the city, with the exception of the Merchant Quarter. Small gangs collected protection fees from the less profitable areas, fighting among themselves for territory.

The larger and more reputable gangs controlled the better areas and also the Red Light District. Their tentacles even stretched into the Merchant Guild, with ties to the residing nobles. Doug already ascertained that the Walsh gang did not have a powerful backer.

These shops bordering or within the slums provided little income from taxes, gambling dens, and cribs. The richer folks tend to gravitate towards more cultured establishments, so the majority of customers tended to be those from the lower rung of society.

The Walsh gang-controlled this block while engaging in skirmishes with the surrounding gangs for similar areas.

"Then I guess we will pay a visit to the Walsh gang..."

***

The caravan climbed the small hill and pulled aside on the short grass, dotted with small flowers. In the distant horizon, the morning mist swirled around ancient towers piercing through the white ocean.

The mist slowly dissipated, revealing the rows of tiny houses circled by a huge stone wall. Outside the battlements, large swathes of rectangular fields extended into the plains, the yellow tops undulating in the gentle wind.

"Wow!"

The word summarised the collective thoughts of the children.

"We'll use the north gate since it's closer to our destination."

Tye said, satisfied with their reaction.

They arrive at the north gate around noon. The thirty-foot stone walls towered over them, while they rode pass wagons filled from boxes of ale to bales of hay. Officials, accompanied by guards hovered around, inspecting and collecting city taxes.

"Hey, shouldn't we join that line? I think we have to collect a token from those officials to give the guards in front of the gate."

Ming asked while observing the chattering and bustling akin to a market.

"No, need. The token is for those who conduct business within the city. Certain people are exempt from searches. As for travelers on foot, they usually pay the entrance fee of ten silvers anytime they need to enter the city."

Tye answered with a hint of pride. He had secretly hoped someone asked this question so as to allow him to demonstrate the ranking of a member of the Tower. The next few words, however nearly caused him to spurt blood.

"I see, but then who do we know?"

Chu ignored the bickering between the two riders, trying hard not to gawk at this novel experience. For the country children, a first-time adventure in a city might compare to a native from an isolated community entering a well-known city. To Chu the excitement doubled as this modern man stepped foot into a city like one from recorded history.

Tye handed over his Tower Mage token to the guard captain at the gate. The man inspected the token while frowning at the four wagons accompanying the apprentice. The last wagon driven by a blond girl caught his eye.

The decrepit wagon had a veritable hill of armor, swords, chests, and boxes. Tye followed the man's gazed and flushed red from embarrassment.

"This is the first time I've seen you but as an apprentice from the Tower, you should uphold its reputation. Don't smear the Tower to earn a few coins from a merchant."

Tye nodded meekly while collecting the token. This guard had no idea of the meticulous thieves accompanying him. Tye had personally seen them in action, bamboozling and scraping away everything except the stone sink from the lairs of bandits.

Tye had goggled on the sidelines, when he heard cock and bull stories, ranging from collecting dowry, assisting disabled farmers, to caring for helpless pets.

He recalled lowered his head in shame whenever those surviving bandits glanced at him.

When the fairy in need of the dowry buried a bolt into a cur without flinching, the disabled farmer sliced a few necks of rushing bandits, and those pitiful pets tossed bodies like chaff in the wind, Tye grasped the characters of these people.

Shameless.

Chu interrupted the captain stationed at the gate to clear the air.

"Beg your pardon captain, but this apprentice mage is not assisting merchants seeking to circumvent the taxes."

Mr. Thomas jumped down from the carriage and approached the captain. Seeing the convoy stop, the guards directed the wagons at the rear to continue the flow of traffic, while a few approached cautiously.

"The Tower sent apprentice Tye to help rid the bandits along the western road to Karst. These wagons contain the proof and fruits of his heroic achievement."

Mr. Thomas said in a voice loud enough to attract the ears of the surrounding crowd. He handed over a small pouch to the captain.

"This here contains the tokens of merchants, guards and even the vile bandits who roamed the road. Apprentice Tye has even ventured into the Great Western Forest and tamed the wolf kings!"

The Captain opened the pouch and grabbed a fistful of tokens. Sure enough, he recognized some of the carvings, especially the one carried by the garrison patrols. The commanding presence of the one-armed man indicated he was no mere farmer.

Chu used the opportunity to raise the tarp covering the side of the cage. The captain and the spectating guards who glimpsed inside stumbled backward in fear. A couple of travelers screamed and then fell on viewing the prisoners. Chu rolled back the covers.

"Apprentices like master Tye should not be compared to those who seek fame and fortune. He is a true man of the people, a staunch defender of evil. The Tower has protected the people for generations, and they will also continue to assist in the future."

Chu said, making use of the silence. He winked at Tye while hinting something with his chin. Tye finally grasped his meaning. With a flourish of his wide sleeves, the apprentice raised his head.

"The Tower not only fights and protects the Pass. We render assistance wherever needed. That is our bound duty to the people."

With that he clipped his horse forward, followed by the convoy. A burst of chatter and murmurs accompanied them, as the wave of rumors rippled out from behind.

Passing under the narrow tunnel, Chu exited into the city of Limerock. A wide-open field greeted them, with barracks and large stables positioned on either end.

"All the large cities are like this. Horses and wagons are kept here for a fee since one needs to enter the city on foot. Merchants will rent those large buildings to store their goods. The taxes for using horses and animals within the city restricts it to nobles."

Chu nodded while they followed Tye out into the wide cobbled street. The apprentice led them to the east until joining a small line of wagons. An iron gate allowed entry into a ten-foot wall of stacked stone and slate.

This weathered defense, unlike its recent towering neighbor, pulsed with an ancient beat. Behind the moss and crumbling stones stained with time, smaller, narrower towers circled around a single larger cousin in the center.

Tye interrupted their swiveling heads before it broke their necks. The ogling eyes scanning his home restored some semblance of pride.

"Welcome to the training center of the Tower mages."